(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Technology and Security
Honorable Mention • Over 20,000
Population: 23,825 | Mayor: Marco McClendon | County: Crittenden | Region: Northeast
The Challenge
West Memphis faced ongoing issues with property aesthetics and code enforcement, worsened by absentee landowners and limited city resources. The city’s small code enforcement team struggled to manage an overwhelming volume of complaints related to overgrown grass, trash, unpermitted construction and more. With only a handful of inspectors, the department could not keep up, leading to disinvestment in neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
The Solution
To address the challenge, West Memphis launched a code enforcement texting tool in 2024, leveraging the existing TextMyGov system. Citizens were empowered to report violations by texting photos and descriptions to a designated number, streamlining complaint submissions. This innovative solution reduced complaints by 65% and saved the city $41,000 by eliminating the need for additional hires.
West Memphis Planning Director Chad Bowman wrote a catchy jingle to help residents remember the number to text code violations: “If you need something fixed, dial 870-878-9636.”
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